Donald Trump is set to be sentenced on Friday for his criminal conviction related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels, a case that once overshadowed his campaign to reclaim the White House. The sentencing, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET (1430 GMT) in Manhattan’s state court, comes after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Trump’s last-minute request to delay the hearing just days before his January 20 inauguration.
The case marks the culmination of the first-ever criminal trial involving a former U.S. president. Trump’s sentencing follows his conviction in May 2023 on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment made by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Trump denied the sexual encounter alleged by Daniels, which was the subject of the payment to maintain her silence.
Justice Juan Merchan, who presided over the trial, has indicated he does not plan to impose jail time or a fine. However, by granting an unconditional discharge, he will officially record Trump’s conviction. Trump, who pleaded not guilty, is expected to attend the hearing virtually, as he has strongly resisted facing a state judge so close to returning to public office.
Cheryl Bader, a law professor at Fordham University, explained that Trump’s reluctance to attend is due to the official acknowledgment of his status as a convicted felon. The trial was conducted amidst Trump’s bid to return to the presidency, and the sentencing is a historic moment in U.S. political and legal history.
The hush money case, while seen as less severe than other ongoing legal battles against Trump—such as those related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his handling of classified documents—has had significant political implications. Despite facing numerous legal challenges, including other criminal indictments and civil lawsuits, Trump has maintained that the cases are politically motivated attacks against him.
While Trump’s political supporters rallied around him, contributing heavily to his campaign after the March 2023 indictment, the case has had mixed effects on his standing with voters. Polls indicated a dip in his popularity among Republicans following the guilty verdict. Nonetheless, the story faded from the media spotlight, especially with other political events capturing public attention.
Falsification of business records carries a potential sentence of up to four years in prison, but experts note that Trump’s age and lack of a criminal history make it unlikely he will face incarceration. Legal experts suggest that the practicalities of his sentence, particularly given his imminent return to public office, make jail time or probation less feasible.
The final outcome of this case, however, remains a key moment in Trump’s ongoing legal and political battles as he seeks to continue his campaign for the presidency.
